Blog
Artist Feature - Sav
What led you to BTS? My best friend had gotten really into them and I wanted to know more about them; they seemed like an important part of her life so I wanted to learn about it. I let her show me music videos, YouTube compilations, interviews, Run BTS episodes, and so on, and I was like, “okay wow, I’m really into this!” Their music is just amazing; that plus the choreography and music videos really drew me in for their talent.
Artist Feature — Shayna
What led you to BTS?
About 5 years ago, I had this friend that always dragged me to watch the Go Go dance practice everyday during our recess (this was after DNA comeback and promotions if I’m not wrong). I used to always declare to everyone how I will never ever like this Kpop thing. And for what reason? I do not know at all. I have no clue, no idea.
Artist Feature - Nicole Salcedo
What led you to BTS?
A friend of mine put me on to BTS, she showed me their SNL performance back in 2019, I would listen to their tracks here and there, but it wasn’t until February 2020 when they released the video for ON that I truly became hooked and started watching more edits and fancams. I think lockdown just sped up the inevitable, I was able to spend more time consuming 7 years worth of content. Their music really helped me deal with adapting to our new pandemic reality. They really do come into your life when you need them the most.
Artist Feature - Madi
What led you to BTS?
I remember the day vividly. I was sitting in the library at my school, working diligently on some project or assignment. It was dark at 4 PM, cold, and it’s safe to say I was in the trenches. I saw my sister texted.
It’s time to test the waters.
Unless you already have
In the case you haven't:
Serendipity, UGH!, Run, Lie, Inner Child, Singularity, Butterfly, House of Cards
Listen for homework and report how your listening experience was.
Safe to say that was my introduction to the real BTS.
Artist Feature - Laura
During my last year of med school I was struggling a lot working in the hospital during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and I tried to distract myself by picking up drawing again and learning a new language in my freetime. I’ve always wanted to learn a “new” alphabet and I decided to learn Korean. Through this I discovered BTS and I was studying Koren by translating the lyrics from the D-2 album by AgustD.
Artist Feature - Dion
What led you to BTS?
The culprit was none other than my best friend. Prior to officially becoming an army, I had vaguely heard about BTS and how they were breaking through into the western music scene. I remember hearing and watching their performance at the AMAs back in 2017 and how important it was, but I didn’t pay them too much mind after that.
Artist Feature - Tyler
What led you to BTS?
I think bts make their way into army's lives when they need them most. For me that was 2017. I was still in secondary school which was quite a rough era of my life. I was struggling with expressing myself and accepting who I am. One night I was scrolling through pinterest and saw this wallpaper with these 7 guys. I remember saving the photo because of “the guy with the mint hair”. From there everything spiraled. Now in 2022, I’m in such a good place. Bts helped me understand that not only is it okay to be myself but also that I should be proud of who I am too.
Artist Feature — Anaïs C.
What led you to BTS?
I first heard about BTS when they released Boy With Luv. I was listening to Halsey a lot back then, but I didn’t really pay attention to Bangtan. To be honest, I remember telling a friend while watching an old YouTube rewind "I don't get why kpop is such a big thing. No one's talking about it around me, I don't recognise myself in their music. This is loud," or something like that. I was listening to a lot of rap back then and I think it just didn't suit my taste.
Artist Feature — Ba
What led you to BTS?
Prepare for vulnerability...
On New Year's Eve 2017, I headed out to the bar after eating dinner and spending an evening with a family I tend to share a holiday with. They turned up the TV as they settled in for the night and BTS were performing "DNA" and "Mic Drop". Catching my eyes immediately, I didn't need to know who they were yet to be amazed that a Korean group was performing from LA – for Times Square!
Artist Feature — Kat Jackson
What led you to BTS?
Visuals. The music videos, styling, color palettes, photoshoots, comeback concepts- anything visually related that they put out always had me floored. It all made sense later when I found out that Bang PD majored in Aesthetics. My niece Tanya (@bybrittany) showed me their American Hustle Life episodes and I think that's really when I started to pay attention. I fully identified as ARMY after watching them live and in person during their Jimmy Kimmel appearance. That was when I learned the fan chant 🤪.
Artist Feature — Reana
What led you to BTS? In 2017, my friend who was into K-pop kept mentioning a song called “Blood, Sweat and Tears.” Apparently it had gone viral and was displayed on many TV music channels so I went home and listened to it. It was my first time listening to BTS and without realizing I had already been hooked! So then obviously I went into research-mode and then long story short I became a huge fan. Over the years, I realized that BTS has been a huge inspiration for me. Most of the art I create is inspired by them, their lyrics, and the things they say, even their fashion sense.
Artista Feature — Nanda
Note: This interview has been written in English and Portuguese.
I learned about BTS through my sister who has liked them since 2019! When the pandemic started, we moved back to our parents house so we could all be in quarantine together. It was around June, when they hosted Bang Bang Con, when she started to show me some of their MVs and Run BTS episodes so I could watch the live concert with her (since it was her birthday as well!) and not be so confused.
Artist Feature — Natasha V.
My obsession with BTS began in March 2020 — do you remember that time? How could we forget? Finding myself with more free time than I knew what to do with and through the curated guidance of my best friend Kat and my teenage mini-me Annie, I found myself in a deep, DEEP BTS hole. And to my own surprise, and the surprise and my closest circle... I kinda liked it here.